Community organizations from around the country joined forces at this year’s NPA Conference to bring the People’s Platform to Washington, D.C. In this election year, NPA leaders wanted to ensure that the demands of the neighborhoods would not be ignored and those in power VOTE NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST!

One of the biggest problems facing neighborhoods today is the lack of commitment and investment from those in power in Washington, D.C. NPA neighborhoods have seen first hand the effects of a bad economy- a national housing crisis, unsafe communities, substandard schools and the lack of adequate job training for low-wage workers.

In the current environment, it is more important than ever that neighborhoods are made a national priority. NPA educated Congressional members in two separate briefings on Capitol Hill. NPA also educated other government officials and people in power by paying visits to Senior Policy Advisor Karl Rove, Department of Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, Department of Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, Manpower Incorporated offices, and the office of J.P. Morgan Chase (JPMC) Lobbyist Stephen S. Ruhlen. The discipline and energy of this year’s conference attendees made for some of the most fun hits in years.

NPA especially proved its willingness to fight for its issues with the hit at Rove’s house. Leaders descended on Rove’s residence to demand that the White House support the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, a bill which would allow undocumented high school students pay instate tuition to attend college. The hit garnered a firestorm of media attention and ignited debate and discussion among liberals, conservatives and the White House. Since the hit, three Senators have signed on to the DREAM Act, and six have signed on to a similar bill in the house called the Student Adjustment Act.

NPA leaders also met with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Alphonso Jackson, as well as Laurie Rich from the Department of Education (DOE). At these meetings, both HUD and the DOE committed to visiting NPA cities and working with community organizations on solutions to local issues.

The national predatory lending campaign celebrated a victory by entering into a written agreement with Fairbanks Capital Corporation intended to stave off foreclosures by working in partnership to ensure responsible loan servicing in neighborhoods across the country. The campaign also formed new allies with the Center for Responsible Lending, the Bond Market Association, and Standard and Poors rating agency in its fight to develop strong legislation that will protect borrowers from predatory lending and serving practices. At this year's NPA, long term allies, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Senator Paul Sarbanes' (D-MD) office agreed to continue their campaign to combat fraudulent mortgage lending practices and work with NPA affiliate groups on this issue. Key executives from CitiFinancial introduced the next phase of its partnership with NPA: financial education.

In addition to visiting JPMC lobbyist Stephen Ruhlen's office, CRA leaders addressed a new area affecting financial security -credit scores- by meeting with representatives from the FTC and voicing their concerns about the credit score formula that banks use to determine a person's financial life or death.

This year’s workshops featured fresh dialogue on the issues affecting our neighborhoods and were attended by leaders from all walks of life.

2004 NPA Victories and Updates

NPA Leaders Testify on Capitol Hill
NPA Will Not Tolerate Big Bank Mergers That Don't Work For Neighborhoods
Immigrant Rights Leaders Breathe Life Into the DREAM Act
Workers Demand Quality Jobs and Training
Rural and Urban Folks Unite
Predatory Lending Team Celebrates Victories and Expands its Ally List

NPA Signs National Agreement with Fairbanks Capital Corporation
NPA Wins Victories From HUD
NPA Leaders Meet with DOE

NPA Youth Unveil National Platform

Safety Leaders Work with New Allies

Also in this issue:

*SUN Receives Commitment from HUD to Repair City Loans

NPA action on HUD leads to local housing victories across the

*NNF and Police Join Together on Neighborhood Safety

*PCRG Returns to Research for Action

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